Ibanez Black Eagle

dual volume controls with a maple neck, purchased in 1976
new.

good sound, can be used from rock to country, very versatile.

LOVE THE ACTION, BUT HAD TO SET IT A LITTLE LOWER

Very reliable, had it dropped on the floor, took a licking
and kept on ticking. I've used it many x without a backup.

been playing since early 70's I've used it with many different
amplifications, sound holds up well not matter what its played through.

as shown on top of tpoic

the best!!!!!!!!!!! perfect for studio recordings aswell as live gigs

nice

some of the finish came of while playing rough in a metal/punkband, but it's amazing how tough this beast is

waas second hand, bought it for 300$

i've been playing for 20 years, and this one i own for 15 years
if i can get another one i will purchase anyway anyhow
the damn thing is zo ugly you gotta love it, i love to play it,its my baby. i rather sell my wife and kids before selling my bass

Japan F761506 - 1976.
4 string; 20 Frets; Straight J-Bass setup: passive two volume/one tone control; Mahogany body; maple neck. Heavy.
J-bass string spacing, but this is not a full length scale: it's a 1/2 inch short, which makes fitting some strings a bit tricky sometimes.
Original tuners are rock solid, but brandless: they hold up pretty well - cheaper jap basses of the period had smaller keys and cogs.
The funky cut-aways make the upper register hard to get at.

My ear for this beast has changed over time; In the 80's I used to love Rotosounds on this thing, and I loved the highs for funk. But since I've got a few active basses, I've gone for a more traditional thick and warm sound. It's not a Steinburger; definitely a more taditional JBass sound, and it lives up to the Jazz name. I've never felt like getting a Fender JBass to replace it.
It's got good sustain and a lovely low. I've not found any really dead spots on it. If anything the A & D strings a little overwhelmed by the E and G.
I have Dimarzio's on it now, but I think I may go back to the original Ibanez pickups. Active's would kill it's natural sound.

The action on this was originally a gnat's dick high. I got this set up by a good tech 15 years ago, put 110s on it and he raised it to get rid of the buzz (I hit the strings pretty hard).
Thre frets are original and have not needed replacing, even though they are low profile. It's not my main axe, but a little polish is all they've ever needed.
I got this thing with a brass nut, which I thought was a bit odd, and I replaced with a resin one.
Originally it had the JBass pressed metal bridge which I replaced with a Bad-Ass II bridge. The sustain is pretty good for a bolt on neck.

No noise - passive - nothing to fail. I would happily go in without a backup.
I only play this one at home, but I'm really waiting for the country band to get going and to do a gig with the mother-of-pearl plus emerald green boots on!
I got this a repainted which I don't think is as tough as the original.

Support? Huh?

25 years of playing, and all I need these days is a Trace Elliot Combo, this Ibanez, a 60's Fender Bass IV, a Steingbeger, a Warwick 5 string fretless and a Yamaha BB1200 with Semour Duncan active Split-P plus JBass bridge pickup.
If it was stolen I'd die. I love this thing. The pick guard with the mother of pearl eagle is just classic.
I will get that Ampeg amp one day...

Guess from the serial number this was made in 1976. Just got it, and it's been beat up badly but still sounds great! Made in Japan, HEAVY body made of mahogany (you can see it through the chipped black finish), nice maple neck with intricate black inlays. Sort of cheesy inlaid pickguard. Mostly a Jazz Bass copy, but almost a proto-Goth look to the body and headstock (I assume this was made before BC Rich started making all his scary-shaped guitars). Two Jazz type single coil pickups, same controls as a Jazz bass. Chrome hardware.

I play blues and rock, maybe even a little jazz, and this works very well -- I like my old P-bass for greasy licks, but this articulates triple notes much better. Pretty good tone spread from the controls, and although the pickups aren't especially loud, they are pretty warm for single coils. And the neck is standard Jazz dimensions, so pretty fast and easy to play on.

Can't tell about the factory set-up. When I got this I had to reassemble the bridge and fix the tuners, but once that was done and I strung it up with some LaBella flats things settled into place right away -- didn't have to tweak the truss rod or anything to get nice low action, and no buzzing. Pretty darn good for almost 30 years old.

This thing looks like someone tossed it from a speeding vehicle. Chips all over the body, part of the headstock has been snapped off, and the inlay on a couple parts of the pickguard has disappeared. However, the plating on all the parts still cleans up nicely, the controls are not scratchy, and the fingerboard and frets look like they're only a couple years old. I would definitely take this without a backup, except the weight would kill me.

No opnion -- no experience.

About 30 years playing guitar and bass. I used to make fun of this model of guitar -- people act like they are desirable because "the guy from Nirvana played one" -- so what, Hound Dog Taylor played a Teisco. When I plugged this in I realized it's a darn good guitar, never mind who else played it. It's good enough to justify part of the 70's Ibanez mystique -- seriously. Much much better than my Mexican Fender J-bass. A little heavier than some of my other basses (although compared to my Hag Swede, this is nothin'!), so it can tire out an old guy like me. I'd definitely buy another.

Made in 1978 in Japan. Mahogony body and awesome Jazz bass style. 2 Original Ibanez Super bass pickups, Volume/Volume/Tone controls. Passive electronics. Maple neck with maple fretboard, black binding and awesome inlays. The size is in between a P-Bass and a Jazz bass, not as thick or wide as a P-bass, but thicker and wider than a Jazz bass. Feels amazing. Awesome pickguard inlays. Standard 4 string bass bridge, needs replacement. Replacement tuners, they rock. 33-12" scale. Nice Carvin Gig bag.

I play alternative/Jazz/Punk rock. Some "grunge" too. Even though Grunge never existed. Awesome for all of them. I am planning to buy an SWR Workingm ans 150 watt combo, but right now I run through a Peavey Basic 112 (50 watt). Very quiet, awesome tones. There is nothing I dont like about it. Ive never gigged it so far, or recorded with it. I plan to use it for demo recordings in December. I also plan to gig it every show.

I bought it used, (Thank god for EBAY!) It was set up with very low action, some fret buzz, but not a whole lot, I can even tune it down to a C# and not have much buzz. I need to raise the pickups a little, but thats no problem. It keeps tune very well, I play very agressively, so thats good. Some of the hardwear is a little rusty, but that can be fized. Its been used in gigs for 22 years! What could you expect?

If Krist Novoselic can throw this thing in the air and let it hit the stage, and be using it in later shows, this thing can easily be used in small punk clubs. The bridge will last, but I plan to replace it anyway. Everything lse is fine. The finish is very strong and thick, it shows use, but its in great shape for the age. The strap buttons are firmly in place, nothing wrong with them. I could definately play it without a backup, but I play in about 3 or 4 different tunings, so I wouldn't.

Ibanez makes disgusting stuff now, I hate it all. The 70's were the best years for Ibanez. I dont think I could get help with this if I needed it.

I have been playing for 3 years, I also own a Fernandes Atlas bass. Im even thinking of selling that now that I have this, because I have a Geddy Lee Jazz bass from Fender on the way. If it were stolen, the guy who stole it would wish that he had never thought of taking it. I love the whole thing, not a thing I dont like.

1978 Ibanez Black Eagle. 2 volume 1 tone control. I think that the pickups are passive Ibanez super jazz. Mahogany body and bolt-on maple neck. The pick-guard has a mother of pearl eagle. Fret markings are very unique. I believe it is a story-line of some sort. The neck is very thick, but comfortable, almost like a string bass. A 10 for the looks.

For the heavier style of music that I play this bass adds alot of character. I run it straight into a Sans Amp bass driver into a Mackie 1400i bass amp then a SWR Goliath SR III. Some noise if the pickups are at different levels. Might be that it needs cleaned or re-worked. I re-soldered the ground and it helped some. A seriously powerful sound comes out of this beauty. The variety of sounds and control is limited compared to my old bass an Ibanez SR 885. More or less you get jazz tone or a less bright jazz tone without adding any effects pedals. The bass is very sensitve at high volumes. I play in B (B,E,A,D) on this four string and sometimes A (A,D,G,C). It handles the loose string tension very well.

I bought this bass used and I mean used. Still plays wonderfully.

Mine seems to be very reliable. I play very hard and it stays put pretty darn good. Built like a tank.

Although Ibanez did not have any information on thier web site, they had a link to some very good information.

I have been playing for about ten years in bands. Attended Arizona State University for 1 1/2 years for string bass. If this bass was stolen you would not want to be the one who took it. I love the weight and the look of this monster. The mahogany body adds great tone. I compared it to several jazz basses. The other basses could not touch it. I would like to try some active pickups like the ones in the SR 885. For the money nothing can touch it.

Purchased in 1975 (no serial number) Serial number were only added after 1976.
Sill in origanal case and condition, has not been played for a number of years.
Dual pick up with tone and volume controls on the instrument

Far better that other Jazz basses around in my opinion.
Very full sound when used through a valve amp.
Neck could have been a bit thinner (I now play a Rickenbacker 4001) and the difference is noticeable.

Very good action when new, could do with a little bit of adjsuting now but at 26 years old not surprising really. All the controls could do with a good clean and the jack connector suffers from poor connections at times. But as stated it is 26 and has never been repaired in anyway.

Never adjusted this guitar since I got it from new. Still plays very well but. Finish is still excellent. Will never sell or trade this instrument. Always take all my (3)to any gig just in case.

never contacted the manufacture for a warranty (no need). I have tried to find out info about the instrument but they simply do not know about the guitar. Sad really as it is one of the best guitars to look at and play. OK it is not a Rickenbacker but it is still worth having.

Been playing for 30 years now.
If it was stolen my heart would be broken, would probably never get another as this one is irreplaceable in my book.
I love the look but wish the neck was thinner.
Not as good as the Rickenbacker 4001 but far better the my new Yamaha.
Bought it when I saw it hanging on the wall, went in to buy a new amp saw this fell in love with it and that was that.
Wish I had an old Hiwatt 100 Valve amp.